Anabolism is the metabolic pathway by which complex tissues such as fat and muscle are synthesized from simple compounds. Anabolic hormone is primarily responsible for protein synthesis resulting in the promotion of muscle growth and the growth of other complex living tissue in the body. Testosterone is an example of an anabolic hormone that promotes muscle growth, as are human growth hormone and insulin.

An anabolic hormone also functions to block catabolic hormones such as cortisol and progesterone. Catabolic hormones are secreted by the human body and act to erode muscle tissue. Both anabolic and catabolic hormones are needed by the human body to maintain homeostasis, or regulation of a stable internal environment. Anabolic hormones in the form of anabolic steroids are often utilized by athletes and body builders to increase muscle mass and improve performance, though there are dangerous side effects to steroid use and many professional sports have banned them. Anabolic hormones that are manufactured into anabolic steroid supplements can be either natural or synthetic and are usually administered in pill form or by injection.

The anabolic hormone insulin is a peptide hormone that is secreted by the pancreas. Among its many functions, insulin is primarily responsible for protein synthesis and the metabolism of sugar and carbohydrates. After insulin reaches receptor sites on individual cells, insulin facilitates the entry of glucose across cell membranes and into muscle and fat tissue.

Testosterone has been manufactured and sold for decades as an anabolic hormone supplement. It was manufactured for the first time in the 1930s and was administered to German soldiers to enhance muscle growth and to increase their potential for aggressiveness. It wasn’t long before athletes were beginning to experiment with testosterone for performance enhancement. Sports-regulating bodies have since banned the use of anabolic steroids. In excessive doses, testosterone is toxic to the liver and causes the male body to lose its ability to produce adequate testosterone on its own, resulting in atrophy of the male sex organs.

Human growth hormone (HGH) is an anabolic hormone on which every organ of the human body relies for growth. HGH is used clinically for conditions relating to growth deficiency and in cases where people cannot produce their own. HGH has beneficial clinical uses and is available through doctors, but it is widely used illegally as a way to attempt to increase muscle growth and muscle strength. Both men and women produce HGH when lifting weights.